causes his goodness to pass before them, that they may see his glory and taste that he is gracious. The blessings then here intended to be set forth, are those fruits and consolations of the Spirit, with which Christ revives, refreshes, and gladdens the hearts of his faithful servants. Their life is a pilgrimage. The world is a dry and barren wilderness, through which they must drag their weary steps, and in which they are often called to bear the burden and heat of the day.

But

Christ does not fail to comfort and support them. He furnishes them with refreshing streams and cooling shade. The means of grace, the ordinances of his house, are the Rivers which he opens in dry places, and in which he satisfies the thirsty soul, and revives the fainting spirit. In the use of these means, in the participation of these ordinances, He reveals Himself to his people; He meets them and blesses them; cheers them with a sense of his presence; sheds abroad his love in their heart; removes their burdens; lightens their darkness; strengthens them for future duties and services; and fills them with that peace which passeth all understanding. Thus he is to them "as Rivers of Water in a dry place, as the Shadow of a great Rock in a weary land."

This last expression indeed seems to suggest another additional idea. It reminds us

of the strength, the solidity, the enduring nature of that peace, with which Christ blesses his people. He is as the shadow not of a large and spreading tree, but of a great and projecting rock. The shade which a tree affords, may for the time be equally cool and refreshing with that which a rock furnishes. But it is not equally lasting. The leaves will fall; the branches will wither; the trunk will one day decay, or may at any time be cut down: and thus the shade which was once afforded, will be gone for ever. But not so with a rock. It will stand for ages. It will defy the effects of time or of man to remove it from its place. The shade which it casts will never fail. It will be "the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever." Such is the Redeemer of Sinners. He is a Rock which never can be moved. Such is the peace which he vouchsafes to his people. It will be always the same. It will endure for ever. It is a peace, which never can be broken and destroyed, because it is the work of Him, who is from everlasting to everlasting, and whose dominion endureth throughout all ages.

And now, My Brethren, after this attempt to explain the meaning of the text, and to give you some ideas, however imperfect, of the shelter and security, of the refreshment and repose, which Christ vouchsafes to his

"happy are the people who are in such a case; yea blessed are the people, who have the Lord for their God ?" Do you not see, are you not convinced, that the subjects of his spiritual kingdom have great cause for joy and thankfulness; that, protected by his almighty power, and comforted by his heavenly spirit, they are indeed a people whom the Lord hath blessed; whose "mouth he hath filled with laughter, and whose tongue + with singing?" And are you not then further sensible, that when the ministers of the Gospel would persuade you to become subjects of this kingdom, to flee for refuge to this Saviour, and to join yourselves to his people, they have your interest at heart, and anxiously desire to promote your happiness? Recollect, My Brethren, that you are but pilgrims, and strangers upon earth. You are travelling through a dangerous and barren wilderness, which of itself affords neither shelter nor refreshment for the soul. Toiling and labouring after worldly things, you have no refuge, no rest provided for your immortal part. There is a storm, whether you discern it or not, already impending over you; the storm of divine wrath, which your transgressions have provoked, and which at any time may burst on your defenceless heads. And are those who would warn you of your danger, and would point out to you a place of refuge

and security, your enemies or your friends? Oh! when we admonish you to flee from the wrath to come; when we shew to you a door of escape; when we call you to come to Christ, and beneath the shadow of His mercy to seek for peace and safety; when we promise you in Him a refreshment and a repose which the world can never give.-Oh! believe our words: give credit to our report: regard us as those who watch for your souls; and who can have no other end in all our admonitions and persuasions, but your present good, your everlasting happiness. Look forward to the time, when, if you now refuse advice, and resist persuasion, the evil day will surely come; the day of wrath and vengeance, when the rain will descend and the floods will come, and the winds will blow; when the gathering storm will burst, and no shelter will be at hand, no friendly refuge to protect and shield you; when you will

call, but will call in vain, on the rocks and the mountains to cover you; when He who would now be your merciful Saviour, will then come as your inexorable Judge; when He who would now gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, will then drive you from his presence with irresistible fury, and will pour upon you the tempest of his indignation and jealousy for ever

these things. Think how ye will meet and endure them. Think now, before it is too + late, while yet the Saviour is saying to you, "Come unto me, and I will give you rest."

But there are two descriptions of persons, to whom the subject, on which we have been discoursing, more particularly addresses itself in a way of direction and encouragement.

1. Are there any here present, who at this moment are sensible of the gathering storm, and are anxiously looking round for some place of shelter from its fury? My Brethren, in other words, are any of you so convinced of the number and nature of your sins, of their aggravated guilt, of the certainty and greatness of the punishment denounced upon them, as to be earnestly seeking for some refuge against the wrath to come? Is your conscience so awakened that you are saying to yourself, What shall I do? How shall I escape? Whither shall I flee? Is there mercy, is there pardon with God? Is there hope, is there salvation for me?' Remember the declaration in the text, the encouragement which it unfolds. "A man shall be a hiding-place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest." Jesus, that Jesus whom we preach as God manifest in the flesh, God and man in one Christ, that Jesus is a Saviour suited to your utmost need. He offers to you the very refuge for which you are in